As healthcare continues to dominate the national agenda, particularly amid evolving policies on immigration and Medicare/Medicaid, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) will hold its Annual Legislative Day on May 8, 2025, at the Rayburn House Building in U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

In a statement, AAPI President Dr. Satheesh Kathula said, “We expect to have the participation from dozens of key Congressmen and Senators. The annual Legislative Day will be a unique opportunity for AAPI to be part of the decision-making process on matters related to healthcare.”

Key policy issues to be addressed during the event include Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, prior authorization processes, immigration reform, expansion of residency slots, physician workforce shortages, and the scope of medical practice regulations.

Representing the interests of over 100,000 physicians and 40,000 medical students and residents of Indian origin across the United States, AAPI has long played a vital role in healthcare advocacy at both state and national levels.

Chair of AAPI BOT, Dr. Sunil Kaza, said, “The mission of AAPI, the largest ethnic organization of physicians, is to provide a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American physicians to excel at inpatient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs. The Executive Committee is working hard, enabling AAPI’s voice to be heard in the corridors of power, and thus taking AAPI to new heights.”

Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, president-elect of AAPI, said “It is a tradition of nearly three decades, which has brought many important transformations in National Healthcare policies that have helped Physicians of Indian Origin. Now, it is the need of the day to renew our friendship with new leadership under President Donald Trump and Vice President J D Vance and brief the Congressional leadership on issues that are important to us.”

“AAPI is once again in the forefront in bringing many burning health care issues facing the community at large and bringing this to the Capitol and to the US Congress,” says Dr. Sudhir Parikh, co-chair of AAPI Legislative Affairs Committee. 

AAPI has been seeking to collectively shape the best health care for the people of the US, with the physicians at the helm, caring for the medically underserved as it has done for several decades, when physicians of Indian origin came to the US in larger numbers.

AAPI has consistently championed equitable healthcare access and physician leadership in addressing the needs of medically underserved communities. As the U.S. grapples with a growing physician shortage, exacerbated by the retirement of the baby boomer generation, AAPI is reinforcing its support for meaningful immigration reform. Of particular focus are H-1B and J-1 visa policies, which are critical pathways for South Asian American physicians who provide essential healthcare services in underserved areas.

“The conference will focus on Immigration Reform and ways for AAPI members to be part of the process in the implementation of the health care reform in this country,” Dr. Meher Medavaram, Vice President of AAPI said.

“AAPI continues to discover her potential to be a player in shaping the healthcare of each patient with a focus on health maintenance than disease intervention. To be a player in crafting the delivery of health care most efficiently and to strive for equality in health globally, the annual Legislative Day is a perfect way to impact Healthcare policy and programs most effectively. Come and join us on Capitol Hill on May 8th,” Dr. Kathula added.

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